>>5787385Shintaro gestures to the crowd, <span class="mu-g">"Enatsu-chan had a perfect score, but can Kato bring it in for the home run?"</span>
[Applause]
The crowd cheers on demand.
A deep drum noise quiets them back down.
<span class="mu-g">"Kato-kun, are you ready?"</span> Shintaro says, smiling widely.
There's a strange, unnerving glint in the man's eye.
Something about the his expression ticks you the wrong way.
<span class="mu-g">"Ready as ever, Shintaro-san,"</span> says Kato, brushing a brown lock of hair from his forehead and returning the smile.
Shintaro nods, <span class="mu-g">"First question: Enatsu Mari's family owns a pet.. True or false."</span>
A big smile appears on Enatsu's face as she remembers her dog.
She gasps, then quickly covers her mouth with both her hands.
Sensible chuckles from the audience.
<span class="mu-g">"I'm going to hazard a 'true' on that one, Shintaro-san."</span> says Kato playfully.
Shintaro laughs, <span class="mu-g">"Alright, alright. Careful, Enatsu-chan. If you accidentally give away the answer to any of the next questions, then I won't award the point!"</span>
The little bell chimes to confirm the correct answer.
Hands still clasped over her mouth, Enatsu nods.
She then briefly removes them, <span class="mu-g">"My dog's name is Hancho and he's the best!"</span> she says quickly before covering her mouth again.
The audience melts at this heartfelt proclamation by the young contestant, <span class="mu-g">"Awwwww~"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"I'm sure he is,"</span> says Shintaro, tapping his index cards on the lectern, <span class="mu-g">"Next question: Enatsu Mari was the ace of her track and field club for every year up until high school."</span>
Kato thinks for a moment, eyeing Enatsu up and down.
<span class="mu-g">"She certainty is energetic, it wouldn't surprise me if she played a sport, but I don't know for certain if it's track and field. Nor that she'd be the best of her school at it. I'll have to guess. Is it 'true'?"</span>
The bell chimes again, it's true.
Every correct answer from a contestant was met with thunderous applause.
Shintaro turns to Enatsu, <span class="mu-g">"Up until high school, very impressive. What happened then? Did you have to focus on your studies? Good ol' mom forcing you to do your homework?"</span>
The audience laughs as Shintaro swings around a pretend wooden spoon.
Enatsu smile fades, <span class="mu-g">"There were a lot of new girls from different middle schools. I could keep up and even win at first, but they all grew a lot taller than me and they got really fast..."</span>
The audience quiets, even Shintaro is at a momentary loss for words and pulls at his collar.
You're not supposed to say such dark things during a happy, go-lucky gameshow!
<span class="mu-g">"Well,"</span> begins Shintaro, somewhat uncertainly, <span class="mu-g">"Now you're an idol for a nationally known idol agency. I'd say say you traded up!"</span>
<span class="mu-g">"Yeah,"</span> says Enatsu with a nod, but the smile on her face doesn't seem to reach the rest of her face.
